OBJECTIVES The full potential of robotics has not been achieved in terms of addressing the most challenging mitral valve (MV) cases. We outline our technique and report our early results with totally endoscopic robotic MV repair in a wide range of pathologies. METHODS From May 2011 to August 2017, a dedicated team attempted totally endoscopic robotic MV repair in 500 MV regurgitation patients. Repair complexity was scored in 3 categories. We analysed our sequential case experience by quartiles. RESULTS Patient mean age was 60.8 years (range 18–88). Aetiologies included: degenerative 382 (76.4%), functional 37 (7.4%), inflammatory 22 (4.4%) and others 59 (11.8%). Mitral annular calcification was present in 64 (12.8%) cases. Simple MV repair (annuloplasty alone or with 1 leaflet segment repair) was performed in 240 (48%) patients, complex (repair involving more than 1 segment on the same leaflet) in 140 (28%) patients and most complex (bileaflet repair or mitral annular calcification excision with atrioventricular groove repair) in 120 (24%) patients. Concomitant procedures included: left appendage closure (94.8%), patent foramen ovale/atrial septal defect (PFO/ASD) closure (19.6%), cryoablation (19.4%), tricuspid repair (6.2%) or hybrid percutaneous coronary revascularization (7.8%). The overall repair rate was 99.4%, with 0.6% early mortality and 1.2% stroke rate (0.2% permanent neurological deficit). Case complexity increased with our experience. Despite an increase in aortic occlusion and perfusion times (median 86.5 and 125 min) and a slight decrease in operating room extubation rate (overall 64%), length of hospital stay (median 4 days) and 30-day readmission rate (overall 3.6%) were not affected by the progressive inclusion of more complex cases. CONCLUSIONS Totally endoscopic robotic MV repair performed by a dedicated team allows one to address the entire spectrum of pathological complexity and provides consistent results.

have also helped to promote the popularization of robotic VATS internationally. [5][6][7] Despite these encouraging trends for robotic thoracic surgery, there is a paucity of robust clinical data on intraoperative catastrophes, partly due to their relative

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Background Transgenic cystic fibrosis (CF) murine models do not develop spontaneous lung or sinus disease, two major causes of morbidity in human CF patients. Because of these limitations, transgenic CFTR−/− pigs have been developed and are currently being characterized. These CF animal models have phenotypes closely resembling that of human CF subjects. The objectives of the current study were to develop primary porcine nasal epithelial (PNE) cultures and evaluate their usefulness as a means to investigate sinonasal transepithelial transport and CFTR function. Methods PNE derived from the septum or turbinates of CFTR+/+ and CFTR−/− pigs were cultured at an air-liquid interface to confluence and full differentiation. Epithelial monolayers were mounted in Ussing chambers to investigate pharmacologic manipulation of ion transport. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and scanning electron microscopy of monolayers were used to indicate degree of ciliation and cell differentiation. Results Stimulation of CFTR-mediated anion transport(ΔIsc in μA/cm2) was significantly greater in epithelia derived from the septum when compared to turbinates(33.04+/−1.17 vs. 18.9+/−0.73;p<0.05). cAMP-activated Cl− secretion was absent in CFTR−/− and present in CFTR+/+ epithelia. Calcium-activated Cl− (CaCC) secretion was increased in CF, however, overall Cl− transport through CaCCs was very low. Degree of ciliation (90%) and CBF were similar between groups. Discussion Septal PNE exhibit a robust ion transport phenotype and indicate CFTR−/− sinus disease could be attributable to diminished alternative pathways for Cl− transport. Overall, PNE have similarities to human respiratory epithelia not demonstrated in murine cells and represent useful in vitro models for studying CF sinus disease.

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